Healthy San Francisco

Just as everyone fits on a spectrum of health ranging from poor to excellent everyone fits on a spectrum of mental health. Identifying symptoms early can make it easier to treat and prevent more serious issues. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, get #screened and start the conversation early: http://www.mhascreening.org #B4Stage4 #MHMonth2015

Ready, Set, Go Bayview, Dogpatch come and enjoy Sunday Streets on 3rd Street. The sunny Southside Bayview and Dogpatch neighborhoods are rolling out all the stops for Sunday Streets this Sunday, May 1st from 11:00am - 4:00pm. With free activities all along the 3rd Street corridor from 18th to Yosemite Street, Sunday is shaping up to be a beautiful day of fun in the streets for the whole community.

To prevent colon cancer, you should get a screening starting at age 50, and then keep on getting screened regularly. You may need to be tested earlier than 50 or more often than other people if: You or a close family member has had colon polyps or colon cancer You have painful bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, or ulcerative colitis You have born with syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome) Speak with your doctor about when you should start testing and how often you should be tested.

Don’t forget that this Thursday, April 7th, Walk San Francisco will host Walk to Work Day, a fun and festive day of encouragement celebrating the most healthy, sustainable form of transportation: walking. If you live and/or work in San Francisco we encourage you to walk just 15 minutes of your daily commute (whether traveling to work, school, church, temple, or shops). Walking at least 15 minutes a day can start you on a healthy walking habit. Learn more at walksf.org.

Sugar, primarily in the form of high fructose corn syrup is the largest source of calories in the United States. While its appeal is easy to understand, its health impacts are significantly harmful and are often overlooked. One recent study states that about 50 percent of Americans consume as much as half a pound, more than 225 grams of sugar a day. Sugar is a major player in the obesity, heart disease, and type II diabetes epidemic,... You should keep your sugar levels below 25 grams per day. By doing so you are decreasing your chances chronic illness. For diabetics, pre-diabetics, people who are overweight, or people with high cholesterol or high blood pressure you should aim to keeping your sugar intake to below 15 grams per day. See more

New research has shown drinking more water provides many added benefits. Drinking more plain water by just one percentage point reduced the amount of calories, sugar, sodium, and cholesterol a person consumed. Drinking a cup or two of more water saw those benefits grow. Researchers found the average adult consumed 4 cups of plain water a day. That made up 30% of their total water intake. ... Drinking an extra glass or two of plain water a day resulted in eating as many as 200 fewer calories, 18 fewer grams of sugar, 240 fewer milligrams of sodium, and 20 fewer grams of cholesterol. So reach for the water, for your health.

Here are some ways to help you fight a cold this holiday season. Get a least seven hours of sleep a night. A cough will last about 18 days, so try to let it run its course through you Take antiviral mediation within two days of getting cold like symptoms Take zinc when you start getting cold like symptoms... Wash your hands regularly and often See more

Come Celebrate Sunday Street in the Bayview and Dogpatch this Sunday, April 12 Sunday Streets is returning to the Bayview and Dogpatch! On Sunday, April 12th, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. the southbound lanes of Third Street between 18th Street and Yosemite Ave into a space for people of all ages and their furry friends to walk, dance, bike, and explore. Learn more at http://SundayStreetssf.com

If you didn't get around to getting a flu shot in the fall, or heard that the flu strain isn’t matching the vaccine, here are some facts to know. As long as the flu is circulating, it's never too late for a flu shot, and it's still worthwhile even when the vaccine isn't a perfect match. In most years, flu activity peaks around February, although every season is a little different. The flu shot takes about two weeks to take effect, so the sooner you get it, the better. That's ...why it's best to get the shot before flu season startsyou'll be protected by the time it rolls into your neighborhood. The people at highest risk of flu complications are kids under 5, old folks over 65, pregnant women, people with asthma or diabetes or pretty much any serious health issues, like heart disease and cancer. If you have any of these people in your life, your flu can become their flu so even healthy people should get the flu shot.

The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to your health. Give the gift of health and safety to yourself by following these holiday tips: Wash your hands often Stay warm Recognize and manage stress Travel safely ... Be smoke-free Handle and prepare food safely Eat healthy and be active See more

Tomorrow November 4th is Election Day. All polls in California are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voting is a way to speak your mind and let your voice be heard. When we vote, we are actually telling elected officials and lawmakers how we feel about education, public safety, social security, health care, and other important issues. Make the time to get to your polling place and vote.

On October 19th, Sunday Streets returns to Valencia Street. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Valencia between McCoppin Hub Plaza and 26th Street will be open for people to get out and engage in fun and healthy activities. There will be free activities including bike rentals, swing dance, arts and crafts, pet activities, and more. Learn more at http://www.sundaystreetssf.com.

This Sunday, 9/28, Sunday Streets opens streets in the Excelsior for people to celebrate and enjoy many of the hidden gems of this part of the city. The route includes Mission Street between Theresa/Avalon to Geneva Avenue. Bring your bike, skates or wear your most comfortable walking shoes for a day of music, dancing, arts and crafts, delicious restaurants, and plenty of physical activity. Sunday Streets is a pet friendly event. Learn more at http://sundaystreetsSF.com